I’ve read two other books by this author so I already knew that I’d enjoy his writing. The style is really beautiful – lyrical (almost poetic) prose that is still accessible to Neanderthals like me. This kind of writing lends itself especially well to descriptions of the world by a young blind woman – one of the main characters.
This book has a long epic scope – focused mainly on two kids who grow up and experience the Second World War in France and Germany. Their story is told with skill and knitted together so well that you have to keep going to see what will happen next.
Each section is fairly brief, but full of meaning and some surprising wisdom. The writer doesn’t hit you over the head with it, but gently lays it out like a blanket and lets you absorb the message. There is so much here – so much detail and history and kindness and love. I felt at first like this would be a safe and happy journey about war, but of course that wouldn’t be a fair way to tell it. We see the cruelty, lies, the guilt and the loss of innocence, as well. All of this was balanced perfectly for my taste.
Exactly my kind of book, I couldn’t find anything to criticize here. I’ll be waiting eagerly for any future work by this author.
Next I’m reading The Candy House by Jennifer Egan.
